The Czech government is to set up a specialist “anti-fake news” unit.

As reported by Censor.NET citing The Guardian, the Czech officials attempt to tackle falsehoods, predominantly about migrants, which they claim are spread by websites supported by the government of Russian president Vladimir Putin.

The new unit will aim to counteract interference in the Czech Republic's forthcoming general election, to be held in October, amid polling evidence that online disinformation is influencing public opinion and threatening to destabilize the country's democratic system, established after the fall of communism in 1989.

Although definite links are hard to prove, officials say they are convinced the Kremlin is behind about 40 Czech-language websites presenting radical views, conspiracy theories and inaccurate reports. The officials believe the objective is to transform the Czech Republic's current status as a western-aligned country.

Part of the interior ministry, the new Center Against Terrorism and Hybrid Threats will begin operating on Jan. 1 with 20 full-time specialists.

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